Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Bay or Holliday?

Jason Bay and Matt Holliday will be two of the most coveted free agents this winter, and while the Red Sox have already made an offer to Bay, some wonder if Holliday would be the better option

One thing everyone should be able to agree with is that Boston needs to sign one of the two. It's who the Red Sox acquire after that signing which will determine the success of Theo Esptein's offseason.

Some want to see Roy Halladay in a Red Sox uniform. Others want to see Felix Hernandez. Both would help, but trading for an additional bat to go along with either Bay or Holliday would put Boston back in the hunt for a World Championship in 2010.

Day 2 of the GM meetings dominated Tuesday's show. To listen in its entirety, click here or play below:



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Monday, November 09, 2009

Problem child

Running back Larry Johnson was released by the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, and some are wondering if the New England Patriots will be potential suitors

NESN.com Patriots beat writer Jeff Howe joined me on Monday's show to talk about Larry Johnson, and to analyze New England's 27-17 win over Miami on Sunday.

Johnson, 29, has proven to be two things in his seven-year NFL career: a Pro Bowl running back and a problem child.

It's the latter that may turn teams away from making Johnson an offer. The Patriots, however, are one of the rare teams that have been able to accept the NFL's problem children with open arms, and succeed.

That's why Johnson's name has, and will continue to, come up in New England. And after witnessing the Patriots' ability to win after adding guys like Corey Dillon and Randy Moss, LJ to New England doesn't seem like such a crazy idea.

Listen to Monday's show in its entirety by clicking here.

For the best Boston sports analysis on the web, listen to I'm Just Sayin' weekdays at 1 p.m. ET on BlogTalkRadio.com.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

What's the plan?

The Boston Bruins have been shut out in two consecutive games, and while Phil Kessel has returned to the ice with another team this week, one has to wonder if general manager Peter Chiarelli has a master plan to increase his team's goal scoring

Phil Kessel returned to action on Tuesday night, after missing the first month of the season recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Only problem is, he wasn't donning the spoked-B.

Kessel is now a Maple Leaf, and in his debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning, he had 10 shots-on-goal in nearly 24 minutes of ice-time. Sure, none of those shots went into the net, but once the young sniper shakes off his rust, those goals will begin to pile up.

But again, that won't solve the Boston Bruins' scoring woes.

The absence of last season's top line (Milan Lucic, Marc Savard, and Kessel) magnifies that problem. And while Lucic and Savard will eventually return from injuries this year, Kessel's not walking back through that door.

Analyzing the Kessel trade is old news. It's in the past. There's no turning back. But those who were critical of trading the team's leading goal scorer for future draft picks knew that this day would come.

They knew that Kessel's return to the ice (with another club) would spark the debate. They knew that their Bruins would, at some point this season, struggle to put the puck in the net. It's only a normal reaction to losing your biggest goal scoring threat in exchange for nothing that will help you this season.

When Lucic and Savard return, things will get better. But the problem won't be solved. The Bruins need a goal scorer, someone that's going to replace Kessel's production. And only one man can pull off that type of acquisition.

It's time to start wondering whether or not Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli has a plan to do so. I used Wednesday's show to give Chiarelli the benefit of the doubt. His master plan has to be better than this.

Listen to Wednesday's show in its entirety by clicking here.

For the most refreshing Boston sports analysis on the web, listen to I'm Just Sayin' LIVE every weekday from 1 - 2 p.m. ET on BlogTalkRadio.com (no shows on Thursday, Nov. 5 and Friday, Nov. 6).

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Blame game

Some have criticized Joe Girardi's decision to stick with a three-man rotation on short rest for the remainder of the World Series, but his use of the seventh inning in Game 5 should be the only move that's second guessed

Trailing 6-2 in the seventh inning on Monday night, New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi decided to bring in lefty Phil Coke to face Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Jayson Werth, while his most reliable left-handed reliever in the postseason, Damaso Marte, watched from the bullpen.

The two solo home runs that Coke allowed in that inning proved to be the difference in Philadelphia's eventual 8-6 win in Game 5, and Girardi's decision to go away from what's been working could come back to haunt the Yankees.

Listen to more World Series Game 5 analysis, and a preview of Phil Kessel's Toronto Maple Leafs debut, all from Tuesday's show on BlogTalkRadio.com by clicking here.

For the most refreshing sports analysis in Boston, listen to I'm Just Sayin' every weekday from 1 - 2 p.m. ET on BlogTalkRadio.com.

Monday, November 02, 2009

Elite paycheck

Rajon Rondo wanted to be paid like a top-five NBA point guard, and while he won't be making as much as Chris Paul, his new five-year, $55 million contract certainly puts him in elite company

The Boston Herald's Dan Duggan joined me on Monday's show to break down Rondo's new deal, and what it means for Ray Allen's future in Boston after this season.

Monday's show also included a World Series Game 4 recap, and more frustration with the Boston Bruins offense. Listen to the show in its entirety by clicking here.

Listen to I'm Just Sayin' LIVE every weekday from 1 - 2 p.m. ET on BlogTalkRadio.com.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Rivalry renewed

In a scenario that would have never been predicted back in July, Pedro Martinez returns to the Bronx on Thursday night, renewing a rivalry unlike any other

If his time line serves us correctly, Pedro Martinez was sitting under a mango tree some 20 years ago, without 50 cents to pay for a bus.

Thursday night will showcase a much different scene, but at the same time, one that Martinez is highly familiar with.

Signing with Philadelphia in mid-July, Martinez didn't make his debut with the Phillies until Aug. 12. Some complained that it was Clemens-esque. Others called it genius.

But even the most optimistic bunch couldn't have predicted this.

After posting a 5-1 record with a 3.63 ERA in just nine regular season starts, Martinez will be given the ball in Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium. The call to the mound comes after a most impressive (and somewhat surprising) seven-inning gem in Game 2 of the NLCS in Los Angeles, back on Oct. 16.

Martinez had thrown only 87 pitches, allowing two hits, no walks, and striking out three in seven shutout innings before being kept on the bench to start the eighth. He left the 1-0 game in line for the win, but the Philadelphia bullpen blew it in the bottom of the eighth.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was criticized for going to his less-than-stellar bullpen instead of sticking with a well-rested, and seemingly untouchable Martinez. It marked Philadelphia's only loss of the NLCS.

But now, Manuel is going back to Martinez in Game 2 of the World Series, and in the process, is choosing to skip last year's World Series MVP, Cole Hamels, in order to do so.

Hamels hasn't been the same pitcher in 2009. He finished the regular season a game under .500, and has allowed 11 earned runs in 14.2 innings this postseason. Meanwhile, Martinez has spent the last two months making everyone in baseball reminisce about the good old days.

It's those "good old days" that make Thursday night's game in New York so very special.

Martinez' return to the Bronx has given baseball fans all over the world a chance to re-capture the career of a pitching legend. After four lackluster seasons with the New York Mets, Martinez' recent surge with the Phillies is Major League Baseball's version of a re-birth.

Game 2 against the Dodgers marked Martinez' first postseason appearance since Game 3 of the 2004 World Series with Boston. His seven shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals gave the Red Sox a 3-0 series lead, and proved to be his last start in a Boston uniform.

Martinez became a legend in that Boston uniform, stealing the stage on every Major League mound with the Red Sox from 1998 through 2004. But only one stage could ever challenge the buzz of a World Series game. Only one mound could cause 57,000 people to stand and yell "WHO'S YOUR DADDY" at the top of their lungs.

It came with the territory. As a member of the Red Sox, Yankees fans hated Martinez' guts. But nobody embraced the rivalry like him.

In a 162-game season, some regular-season games can be overlooked because of prior commitments. When the schedule showed "Pedro vs. the Yankees" the only commitment was watching that game, whether it was in Boston or New York.

It was a must-see event, especially at Yankee Stadium. And now, he's back.

The last time Martinez started a postseason game in the Bronx was Game 2 of the 2004 ALCS. Martinez got the loss, but he deserved better, allowing three earned runs in six innings. The Yankees took a 2-0 series lead with the 3-1 win, followed by a Game 3 beat down which gave New York a 3-0 series lead.

I think we all know how that played out.

Martinez got another opportunity, in that same series, to wash away those postseason demons at Yankee Stadium, but his Game 7 relief appearance wasn't anything to write home about, as he allowed two earned runs on three hits in the seventh inning.

It didn't affect Boston's eventual 10-3 win and series clincher, but it was just another moment in which Pedro brought drama to New York.

That drama will once again follow Martinez into Yankee Stadium on Thursday night, re-making history. Only this time, Grady Little won't be walking to that mound, and Martinez is no longer a member of the Red Sox. Sure, it's a new ballpark, but it's the same crowd. It's the same level of drama, on the same big stage.

And as Pedro already knows, there aren't any mango trees to hide under in the Bronx.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The Big Four

Kevin Garnett's season-ending knee injury damaged the Boston Celtics' championship hopes late last season, but expect Rajon Rondo to continue where he left off in the postseason, making it impossible for Danny Ainge not to re-sign his young point guard

Rajon Rondo should have been an All Star.

While officially, he wasn't on the East roster last season, Rondo was indeed All-Star worthy, and he put to rest any talks of him not being an elite NBA point guard by averaging a triple-double per game in 14 playoff games last spring.

Some can dispute that triple-double remark. To be exact, Rondo averaged 16.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game in a postseason run that was cut short by a healthier Orlando Magic team.

But by now, any NBA critic should know, Rondo is for real.

That fact of life will make it difficult for Celtics Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge to part ways with his starting point guard when he becomes a restricted free agent at the end of the 2009-10 season, which begins tonight in Cleveland.

As each game passes, Rondo's worth to this Celtics team becomes more evident. And as vital as guys like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen are to the team's championship hopes, having Rondo run the offense has turned into a necessity.

Doc Rivers' squad won the late-season battle for second seed in the East last year, beating out Orlando by three games in the regular-season standings. But now, Rivers should realize that health is more important than home-court advantage in a playoff series.

Knowing that, veterans like Pierce, Garnett, and Allen should get more rest in the regular season, given the depth of the Celtics' bench after the offseason acquisitions of Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels.

If Rivers had to choose between a playoff game at home with a banged up team, or a playoff game on the road with full health, you would think he'd choose the latter, after witnessing last year's earlier-than-expected postseason exit while having home-court advantage in the second round against the Magic.

The addition of Wallace and Daniels gives Rivers the luxury of providing more regular-season rest to the "Big Three" - clearing the way for Rondo to play an even larger role in the Celtics offense.

Is it time to fill out those All-Star ballots yet?

Here are my 2009-10 NBA predictions (Unlike NHL, the NBA does not re-seed after the first round. Playoff brackets are set as follows):

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers over (8) Toronto Raptors
(5) Atlanta Hawks over (4) Miami Heat
(3) Orlando Magic over (6) Detroit Pistons
(2) Boston Celtics over (7) Philadelphia 76ers

Western Conference Quarterfinals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers over (8) Portland Trail Blazers
(4) New Orleans Hornets over (5) Phoenix Suns
(3) Denver Nuggets over (6) Utah Jazz
(2) San Antonio Spurs over (7) Dallas Mavericks

Eastern Conference Semifinals

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers over (5) Atlanta Hawks
(2) Boston Celtics over (3) Orlando Magic

Western Conference Semifinals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers over (4) New Orleans Hornets
(2) San Antonio Spurs over (3) Denver Nuggets

Eastern Conference Finals

(2) Boston Celtics over (1) Cleveland Cavaliers

Western Conference Finals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers over (2) San Antonio Spurs

NBA FINALS

The Boston Celtics over the Los Angeles Lakers in 7 Games.

Celtics season preview

Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck said Tuesday that Glen David will likely be suspended following his off-the-court altercation which resulted in a broken right thumb, but Big Baby's absence shouldn't stop anyone from picking Boston to win the NBA Championship

Boston Metro/NESN.com's Jeff Howe joined the show on Tuesday to preview the Celtics 2009-10 season, and to break down the state of the New England Patriots heading into their Week 8 bye.

For NBA predictions and more, listen to Tuesday's show in its entirety, by clicking here.

For the best Boston sports analysis, listen to I'm Just Sayin' every weekday at 1 p.m. ET on BlogTalkRadio.